We may not realize it, but our brain uses about the same amount of energy whether processing trivial or important decisions. And when the brain consciously attends to more than three things all at once, we put it at risk of information overload, and it could lead to a point called âdecision fatigueâ where we may no longer be able to think straight.

This is according to Dr. Daniel Levitin, PhD, an American neuroscientist and psychologist who wrote bestselling book The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload (Dutton, 528 pages).

In a CNN news feature last October 9, 2015, Dr. Levitin said: âWe used to think that you could pay attention to five to nine things at a time. We now know thatâs not true. Thatâs a crazy overestimate. The conscious mind can attend to about three things at once. Trying to juggle any more than that, and youâre going to lose some brainpower.â

Dr. Levitin, professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, elaborated on those findings in an interview with CNNâs Dr. Sanjay Gupta.